amaryllis

American  

[am-uh-ril-is] / ˌæm əˈrɪl ɪs /

noun

1. any of several bulbous plants of the genus Hippeastrum, especially H. puniceum, which has large red, pink, or white lilylike flowers and is popular as a houseplant.

2. Also called naked lady.  Also called belladonna lily.  a bulbous plant, Amaryllis belladonna, having clusters of usually rose-colored lilylike flowers.

3. any of several bulbous, ornamental plants with lilylike flowers.

4. Amaryllis,

   1. a shepherdess or country girl, especially in classical and later pastoral poetry.

   2. a first name.

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amaryllis ¹ British  

/ ˌæməˈrɪlɪs /

noun

1. Also called: belladonna lily.  an amaryllidaceous plant, Amaryllis belladonna, native to southern Africa and having large lily-like reddish or white flowers

2. any of several related plants, esp hippeastrum

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Amaryllis ² British  

/ ˌæməˈrɪlɪs /

noun

1. (in pastoral poetry) a name for a shepherdess or country girl

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Etymology

Origin of amaryllis

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin: name of a shepherdess in Vergil's Eclogues

Example Sentences

Her favorite holiday tradition, though, is forcing paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs.

From Seattle Times

A beautiful amaryllis is sure to generate smiles from family and friends as they watch the bulb transform into beautiful blossoms.

From Seattle Times

Unless they’ve been “forced” to abide by a holiday schedule, amaryllis often withhold their flowers until later in winter.

From Seattle Times

White amaryllis and red tulips are also popular, and they are the color inspiration for the Simply Scandi color palette.

From Seattle Times

To create towering vases bursting with flowers, he combined cut amaryllis, a classic winter bulb, with peonies, which are difficult to find after early summer, adding pomegranates and more magnolia leaves.

From Seattle Times